Ohio Bill Would Require Consent From Men Before Abortion

This month, an Ohio state legislator introduced a bill, which would require written consent from a woman’s partner or the man involved with the pregnancy in order for her to obtain abortion care. If the man is unknown, this bill would force a woman to submit a list of possibilities, and her doctor would have to conduct paternity tests—at the woman’s expense—and then seek the man’s permission prior to providing abortion care. In cases of rape or incest, proof via a court document, police report, or indictment would be required.

This bill would place substantial obstacles in the path of a woman attempting to access abortion care and is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court has ruled that abortion restrictions must not place an “undue burden” on women seeking abortion care.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican John Adams, introduced similar legislation which died in committee in 2007.